Tuesday, March 22, 2016

THE VERY DRAMATIC BUSINESS OF P I T C H I N G


From the perspective of many Australian screenwriters, pitching can be a rather dreaded and unnerving activity. The idea of fronting up to someone and telling them how great one's story is can seem at times downright unAustralian, or worse, decidedly American. The character of the snake-oil salesman doesn't sit well with a lot of Australian writers. The diffidence with which one navigates the cool hipness of the so-called film scene frequently conspires against the expression of genuine emotion or personal commitment. 

A script or story idea may have much to recommend it, but if the screenwriter, director or producer is unable for whatever reason to imaginatively and succinctly conduct the listener/investor/production company into the core emotional experience that the film offers, the script or project may never have its time in the sun.

The first and most important thing you need to understand is that you are NOT selling a script - or rather a collection of words ABOUT a script; you are selling a character - and that CHARACTER is YOURSELF.   



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